An Exhortation to Faithfulness
George Fox exhorts his listeners to be faithful, dwell in purity, and meet together in unity, all while being bold in the power of truth and drawing off from created things to God.
George Fox preaches about the importance of faithfulness, purity, and unity among believers. He emphasizes the need to resist the ways of the world and to fear the Lord above all else. Fox encourages meeting together to maintain the unity of the Spirit and to speak truthfully and openly with one another. He urges love and faithfulness in all relationships, praying for God's power and spirit to sustain them in their work.
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ALL Dear Friends everywhere . . . Be faithful, and dwell in that which is Pure. . . . Take heed of the World's evil Ways, Words, Worships, Customs and Fashions, neither let fair Speeches draw you out, nor hard Speeches trouble you and make you afraid; But fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who by his mighty Power upholds all things. And be bold in the Power of Truth, and valiant for it upon the Earth; treading, triumphing over, and trampling all Deceit under Foot, inward and outward; having done it in your selves in particular, ye have power over the World in general.
And Meet together every-where and keep the Unity of the Spirit which . . . Baptiseth all into one Body with one Spirit. And being written all in one another's Heart, have all one Voice, and the pure Language of Truth, where in all plainness of Speech, things may be spoken in Nakedness of Heart one unto another in the Eternal Unity in one Spirit . . . which draws off and weans you from all things that are Created and External (which fade and pass away) up to God, the Fountain of Life, and Head of all things.
And all Friends and Brethren, in what ye know, be faithful. . . . Oh! dwell in Love in your Hearts to God and to one another! And the God of Love and Life keep you all in his Power, and Love, and Spirit to himself.
. . . My Prayers to God are for you, that ye may be faithful, and be kept faithful in the Work.
Sermon Outline
- I. Be Faithful and Dwell in Purity
- A. Avoid the world's evil ways and customs
- B. Fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth
- C. Be bold in the power of truth
- II. Meet Together in Unity
- A. Keep the unity of the spirit
- B. Speak in the pure language of truth
- C. Draw off from created things to God
- III. Be Faithful in Your Work
- A. Dwell in love to God and one another
- B. Be kept faithful in the work
Key Quotes
“Be faithful, and dwell in that which is Pure.” — George Fox
“And be bold in the Power of Truth, and valiant for it upon the Earth;” — George Fox
“Oh! dwell in Love in your Hearts to God and to one another!” — George Fox
Application Points
- Be faithful to your work and to God, and dwell in purity.
- Meet together with others in unity, and speak in the pure language of truth.
- Draw off from created things to God, and be weaned from all things that are external and fading.